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Underwing Moth

Posted by July 21st, 2011 at 8:29 am

Categories

Underwing Moths and Fruit Piercing Moths

Brown and red butterfly
Location: Colorado
July 21, 2011 3:44 am
Hey! You’re team is apparently very good at identifying insects and things, so I was wondering if you happen to know what this little creature is. My friend took the pictures at night outside is home in Colorado, but I’m pretty sure it’s a butterfly (since its wings are vertical in the second pic). Other than that, I am having no luck in identifying it. Any idea what kind of butterfly this is?
Signature: Mandooooo

underwing mandooooo 300x238 Underwing Moth

Underwing

Dear Mandooooo,
This is actually a moth and not a butterfly.  Underwing Moths in the genus
Catocala are characterized by drab forewings that blend in with tree bark, and boldly marked and colored underwings that show in flight.  If the moth is startled and flies, it displays its bright colors, but when it alights on a tree, it seems to vanish.  Any predators will be hunting for a brightly colored tasty morsel, and they may easily overlook the now camouflaged Underwing Moth.

underwing mandooooo 2 300x215 Underwing Moth

Underwing Moth

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Comments 2

  1. drlazer wrote:

    We had a lot of moths, and our dog kept eating them. My daughter made a comic of it at http://eyecomics.blogspot.com/2011/07/moth-eater.html
    Enjoy!

    Posted 27 Jul 2011 at 9:59 pm
  2. bugman wrote:

    Thanks for the entertainment.

    Posted 28 Jul 2011 at 7:53 am

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